A Teenager's Guide to Braces

There can be many different dental issues that you may develop over the course of your life. However, cavities are among the more commonly encountered problems that patients will experience. To help you be better able to make informed dental decisions, you might benefit from having the following couple of question about cavities answered.

Can You Still Develop Cavities If You Use Dental Sealants?

It can be common for parents to have their children's teeth sealed. During this procedure, a sealant is applied to the surface of the back teeth to help minimize the risk of them developing cavities. Sadly, there are many people that may be under the impression that they will not be at risk of developing cavities in their back teeth because they were sealed.

Unfortunately, it is still possible for teeth that have a sealant to develop cavities. This stems from the fact that the sealant is only applied to the top of the teeth. As a result, it is still possible for the sides of the teeth to develop decay. Also, the sealant can gradually break down due to prolonged exposure to bacteria and tartar, which can compromise the effectiveness of the sealant. For these reasons, you will still need to follow sound hygiene practices when it comes to cleaning your teeth if you want to avoid cavities.

Is A Filling All That Is Needed To Repair Cavities?

Dental fillings can be among the more commonly used options for treating patients that are suffering from cavities. While these fillings can be extremely effective at restoring the integrity and appearance of a tooth that is suffering from decay, there are limits to the damage that a filling can repair.

In instances where the tooth has suffered particularly severe decay, a crown may be required to prevent the tooth from shattering. By placing the crown on top of the existing tooth, it is possible to restore its appearance, while also reinforcing the tooth. Only your dentist will be able to determine whether a crown or filling will be appropriate for your problem after performing a thorough exam of the tooth. If you do need a crown, it can take several days for it to be made because the dentist will need to ensure that it perfectly matches the shape of your tooth after the decay has been removed. While you might not want to make a second trip to have the crown installed, it is critical for the crown to perfectly match the tooth or else it will not be held securely in place.

Talk to a local dentist, such as Staller & Gandel D.D.S, to get further informed.